Product Applications
How Night Vision Works
Night Vision goggles and other optics are electro-optical
devices that intensify (or amplify) existing light instead of relying
on a light source of their own. The devices are sensitive to a broad
spectrum of light, from visible through infrared. An accessory illuminator
can increase the light available at the infrared end of the spectrum
by casting a beam of light that is not visible to the human eye.
You do not look "through" a Night Vision product, you look at the
amplified electronic image on a phosphor screen.

Light enters the Night Vision product through an
objective lens and strikes a photo cathode that has a high-energy
charge from the power supply. The energy charge accelerates across
a vacuum inside the intensifier and strikes a phosphor screen (like
a TV screen) where the image is focused. The eyepiece magnifies
the image.
A Night Vision phosphor screen is purposefully colored green because the human eye can differentiate more shades of green than other phosphor colors.
Like cameras, Night Vision products have various image magnifications. The distance at which a human-sized figure can be clearly recognized under normal conditions (moon and starlight, with no haze or fog) depends on both the magnifying power of the objective lens and the strength of the image intensifier

Night Vision Goggles - Background
Night vision goggles are a very unique and resourceful product, which gives the user of night vision advantages which are not available in other day optical or night vision devices. Selecting the model of night vision goggles should be based on application considerations, as well as product features, which are unique to each product or model. Generally, the market for night vision goggles is segmented among the following:
- Consumer / Professional Use
- Government / Military Use
Night vision goggles are, in a crude sense, night vision binoculars with a head mask for hands free mobility. However, there are key differences in the optical chambers of night vision binoculars and night vision goggles which separate the two types considerably.
The objective lenses in night vision goggles are designed to maximize the line of sight ahead of the user. In most cases the line of sight, or field of view of night vision goggles, is from 35 to 40 degrees, giving the user the widest field of view of “action” or “image perception” on all sides. In night vision binoculars, the field of view is generally more narrow, from 8 to 15 degrees, where range or depth of view is more important. Generally, field of view, and range of view are mutually exclusive features. In order to maximize the field of view of night vision goggles, the industry standard of magnification is 1.0.
One of the key features in night vision goggles, compared to other night vision devices is the mobility that is offered, keeping the users’ hands free for other use.
Night Vision Goggles - Consumer / Professional Markets
In the consumer market, night vision goggles are used by the following groups:
- Hunters
- Wildlife viewers and conservationists
- Mining and night time working
- Law enforcement and security
- Search and rescue squads
- Boaters
- Livestock management
- And many others
All of the Gen 1+ night vision goggles from
www.night-vision-goggles.com® are best geared to the consumer and professional market due to their best overall value for price. We have hand selected several of the best Gen 1+ night vision goggles produced, put them all through rigorous testing in all conditions and determined them to be best fit for all applications outlined above.
Rigel 3300 Night Vision Goggles

The Rigel 3300 night vision goggles are ideal for hunting,
mining/exploration, and other night time work. Built with a special high
performance monocular, the Rigel 3300 permits the user to utilize both night
vision and the naked eye when required.
Another key benefit of the Rigel 3300 night vision goggles is the detachable
monocular, which can be used as a stand alone night vision device. We also
offer via special order a special 3.6 magnification lens which can be
attached to the Rigel 3300 chamber, giving the user the magnifying power of a
binocular.
The super light weight of the Rigel 3300 night vision goggles [only .53
grams] makes it an ideal item for using over longer periods of time where
fatigue can be an issue for the user.
Rigel 3100 and Rigel 3200 Night Vision Goggles

The Rigel 3200 night vision goggles and Rigel 3100 night vision goggles are superior models owing to three primary factors:
- Highest quality image intensifier tube [specially made Gen 1+ with extra high image resolution]
- Weight of unit as a dual ocular device
- Detachable binocular when goggles not in use

We recommend the Rigel 3200 night vision goggle for all the above consumer recreational uses, as well as for law enforcement, security, and search and rescue, where quality cannot afford to be compromised. While also popular among general consumers, law enforcement and security will find the superior resolution and system gain invaluable when needing to focus in on the smallest details. Our product tests demonstrate that they perform as some of the most superior Gen 1+ consumer night vision goggles on the market today.
Other Night Vision Optics
Night Vision Binoculars
Night vision binoculars is usually the most traditional choice when purchasing night vision. Dual ocular functionality and high magnification give the user the feel and comfort of a binocular with the ability to observe objects in any condition.
The Rigel 2100 night vision binoculars is an excellent good choice for professionals and serious enthusiasts, while the Baigish B21 models are among the most popular for general outdoors [hunting, camping, wildlife viewing etc].
The Wall Street Journal praises "The Rigel [2300] night vision binoculars have excellent magnification and good image quality." (September 5, 2002).
Night Vision Monoculars
Night vision monoculars open the world of quality night vision to the user at an affordable price. Built with a single ocular, the price of night vision monoculars are as a rule one half of their binocular counterparts. Night vision monoculars are also very easy to use, as well as to conceal. Campers and hikers find the Rigel 1100 night vision monocular as excellent tool in the wilderness.
Special Application Binoculars
Image stabilized binoculars, such as the Rigel 9100 day time binoculars with image stabilization were originally made specially for special forces and law enforcement to capture details of moving objects, and/or while the observer himself is moving. Wildlife observers will also appreciate the stability both models offer when viewing animals from very far distances.
General Factors to consider when making your selection
Gain:
Can you see the viewed object in pitch-black conditions? How much detail can you see? Since a night vision device amplifies existing light, darker natural conditions make it more difficult to produce a crisp image with good contrast. Therefore, the moon and starlight act as natural amplifiers for night vision devices while most are pre-equipped with hi power IR illuminators. The IR illuminator acts as an additional "flashlight" for the night vision device, to give you high quality resolution even when natural light sources are absent.
If you live in a well-lighted urban area, the surrounding artificial light will give you plenty of illumination for using our affordable night vision monoculars.
Range:
What is the maximum distance at which you can see the viewed object? 200 meters, 100 meters, 30 meters? A night vision device's range is generally a function of its gain, magnification, and resolution. As a rule, a powerful lens will give you higher magnification for viewing far off objects, but it also decreases the amount of light captured. The optimal combination is a high-speed lens with magnification below 5x. High gain is required when viewing distant objects, and plays less a role when viewing objects up close.
Night vision binoculars are best geared for professional applications requiring deep range.
Image Quality:
Image quality is dependent on the quality of resolution, contrast, and distortion in images produced by night vision devices. Night vision devices produce a green monochrome image which is typically sharpest in the center and fuzzier around the perimeter. Good resolution will give you the ability to distinguish details of far off objects. Hi quality contrast will allow you to see objects against like color backgrounds. Low distortion is reflective of the minimized quantity of traditional "black spots" which sometimes appear on the device's lens (a natural phenomenon in the production process).
If you have further questions about any of our night vision optics, e-mail us.
Night vision by Rigel Optics